Female genital mutilation “comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” (Female genital mutilation, Februrary) FGM leads to infertility, bleeding during, pain sexual intercourse, and sometimes causes death. I found different possible origins for Female genital mutilation but it can be date as far back as the 5th century B.C in Egypt. Nearly 90 percent of Sudanese woman go through this procedure every year. They say encourages hygiene for Sudanese woman, men think highly of women who are circumcised, and it makes the bride price higher. With the bride price being high it will help poor families with the additional income. Some Sudanese say it also has to do with their religion who Muslims and say the Koran says woman should be circumcised. In 2008 WHO passed a resolution to put end to FGM.UNICEF and the National Organization for Women (NOW) are trying to stop FGM. These are organizations are to make people know the consequences of FGM through support, research, and guidance.
Professor Ellen Gruenbaum did research in Sudan where FGM is way more common. Her research showed that the more western civilization got involve there was more the Sudanese resist to change. “Gruenbaum shows that the practices of female circumcision are deeply embedded in Sudanese cultural traditions – in religious, moral and aesthetic values, and in ideas about class, ethnicity and gender” (PANEL: Medical Anthropologist Speaks on Abolishing Female Circumcision, 2012). Professor Gruenbaum research shows how to take a different approach to stop FGM in Sudan. She wants to bring to light both the reception and the confrontation to change. Gruenbaum says it happens because of social and financial changes, religion influences, and woman not being educated about FGM. “ Gruenbaum seeks to provide an insightful analysis of the process of changing this complex, highly debated practice”. (PANEL: Medical Anthropologist Speaks on Abolishing Female Circumcision, 2012)
Works Cited
PANEL: Medical Anthropologist Speaks on Abolishing Female Circumcision. (2012, September 29). Retrieved from http://www.peacewomen.org/news_article.php?id=179&type=event
Female genital mutilation. (Februrary, 2012). Retrieved from Who Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/
http://www.sudantribune.com/Female-genital-mutilation-still,12647
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5996/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1899